The Invisible Dangers of B12 Deficiency and the Unwillingness of the Medical System

Lisa's story raises a fundamental question: why do doctors sometimes refuse a treatment that, while simple, is not fully scientifically based, yet may offer a possible solution to the patient's problems?

In the medical world, where scientific evidence is king, situations sometimes arise where a patient's reality clashes with the rigid rules and protocols of the system. Such is the case for Lisa, a 15-year-old girl who has been battling a mysterious condition for months. Her parents are convinced that a simple vitamin B12 deficiency caused by her vegan diet is the cause of her serious condition. But instead of a simple treatment with B12 injections, doctors opt for a drastic and invasive approach: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock.

Lisa's story raises a fundamental question: why do doctors sometimes refuse a treatment that, while simple, is not fully scientifically based, yet may offer a possible solution to the patient's problems?

Lisa's story begins innocently enough. She was a normal, cheerful teenage girl until she suddenly became increasingly fatigued and eventually could barely move or react to her surroundings. Doctors diagnosed catatonia, a condition in which something goes wrong with the cells in the brain, leading to severe movement and communication problems. The suggested treatment: a combination of the sedative lorazepam and electroshock.

But Lisa's parents, Henny and Esther, are convinced that this diagnosis does not tell the whole story. Their daughter has been following a vegan diet for three years, necessary because of her allergies to soy and cow's milk. Vegans, especially those who are not well informed about dietary supplements, are at high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin is critical for nervous system health and red blood cell production, and it occurs naturally only in animal products.

A severe B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems that manifest themselves in symptoms suspiciously similar to those of catatonia. Despite this obvious link, and despite the fact that B12 injections are relatively simple, inexpensive and safe, doctors refuse to treat Lisa in this way. Why? Because the effects of B12 injections in this particular case are not sufficiently scientifically based, they say.

This situation highlights a deep-seated problem in health care: dependence on protocols and guidelines that leave little room for customized or intuitive treatments. Physicians are trained to rely on evidence, which is essential to providing effective and safe care. But what happens when science doesn't yet have all the answers? What if a patient is just off the beaten path, like Lisa, who, despite the apparent logic behind a B12 treatment, does not qualify for this simple intervention?

Instead of addressing a possible deficiency, doctors opted for a much more invasive treatment: electroshock. This method, while effective for some forms of severe depression, carries significant risks, especially to the brain of a young and vulnerable girl like Lisa. Memory loss, confusion and other cognitive problems are known side effects of ECT. For her parents, who saw their daughter enjoying life only a few years ago, this choice is incomprehensible.

The debate over Lisa's treatment raises broader questions about the role of patient-centered care and the willingness of physicians to color outside the lines when standard protocols fall short. At a time when diets such as veganism are becoming increasingly popular, the medical community should be more proactive in recognizing and treating the unique needs of these patients. A simple blood test for B12 levels and trial treatment with injections could potentially prevent much suffering.

Henny and Esther continue to fight for their daughter, and their story is a wake-up call for both the medical community and society. It highlights the need for a more holistic approach to health care, one in which each patient's unique circumstances and needs are the focus, and where healthy skepticism toward unsubstantiated treatments is matched with compassion and flexibility.

If we can learn anything from Lisa's story, it is that science is a guide, but it does not provide a comprehensive answer. Sometimes care requires courage and creativity, to do what feels right, even if it falls outside accepted norms. Because in the end, it's about the patient's well-being, and nothing should be more important than that.

Sources:

• Spetter, E. (2024, August 21). Parents diametrically opposed to hospital for treatment of their daughter (15): 'She has to get out of there'. Algemeen Dagblad. Consulted from https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/ouders-lijnrecht-tegenover-ziekenhuis-om-behandeling-van-hun-dochter-15-ze-moet-daar-weg~a12783db